Replacement of apparatus due to age

[kelmbaker1]

All, Help!
I'm the Chief of an Industrial Fire Department working for a company that always has an eye towards the bottom line. They will do the right thing, but I have to have my ducks in a row. I am requesting a new Pumper to replace a 1986 GMC that is obsolete. It was my memory that NFPA had a definative statement such as "Pumper trucks have a useful life in front line service yp to fifteen years, and reserve up to twenty. They may be kept in reserve for another five years depending on condition, maintenance, etc.." Now I've been a Firefighter since 1982, so who knows where I rememeber this from. I was sure it was NFPA. 1901, annex "D" is just too vague. Thanks KM
kelmbaker@msn.com

[eagle5473]

You will have to justify the purchase evan moresoe than a regular department.....But how much use can an industrial engine realy get? We still have a 1974 Pumper in first line service and its not slated to be replaced for 2-3 years.....I would suggest a good used engine look for one from long island they have all the bells and wistles and seem to get rid of them all at 10 years old

[islandfire03]

The problem with the nfpa standard is it doesn't take into account the service life is directly tied into the hours and miles of usage on the vehicle. A pumper in a city dept. that runs 10,000 calls a year is certainly going to need replacement sooner than a pumper from a rural vollie dept. that runs 150 calls a year.
We usually get 20= 25 years life out of our apparatus. They are still usable at that point , but maintenance cost start rising and parts availability decreases. Our current tanker is 23 years old and will be replaced in the next two years.

[MG3610]

Its in 1901 annex D I'm almost sure...

NFPA has made it harder to view the online documents, and while attempting to sign up to use the system it failed. Ill try later. For now, chew on this...

http://www.firetrucks.com/nfpa.htm

An important thing to know in your state is if the state has adopted NFPA standards as regulations (legally binding). If so, you'll have more leverage.

Good luck, i'll see if I can dig anything else up.

[firepundit]

To find the new NFPA pamphlet, try the yahoo search string:

nfpa 1901 ROP

You should find a page with the list of ROPs for nearly every pamphlet. Find the latest ROP for 1901 and it will bring up the committee report. If you page through the votes (while scanning note that all votes are unanimous, not a single dissent seems to be allowed) there will be a draft copy of the standard that will come into effect next January.

Be advised that it is a draft but only minor grammatical and stylistic changes will be made, if any.

I hope this helps.

[neiowa]

Its in 1901 annex D I'm almost sure...

NFPA has made it harder to view the online documents, and while attempting to sign up to use the system it failed. Ill try later. For now, chew on this...
...

If you object to their new nosy nellie signup just put in BS responses - one letter or asst letter and it still goes thru. Make something up and enter it.

[CanadianFyrTrks]

As the Fire Chief of your Industrial Fire Brigade, I've got good news and bad news.....

Good news, you don't need to follow the NFPA's Guidelines on building, buying or specing a vehicle, service life is all depending on your needs. We have an Industrial Lubricants company in my area that only recently purchased a new unit. However, their numbers 1 and 2 engines were dated back to earlier than 1982.

Bad News, don't tell your buyers that..... As Fire Chief I would demand the best equipment for my service as possible. However, as one member here posted, there are some great secondhand apparatus' available out there. Have a search for "Used Fire Trucks". Garanteed you'll come up with something to suit your needs just right.

Try these.....

http://www.nefirebrokers.com/
http://www.fentonfire.com/
http://used-firetrucks.com/index.htm
http://www.bmfallc.com/index3.htm
http://www.firelineequipment.com/index.php